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Mediation of oviposition site selection in the African malaria mosquito Anopheles gambiae (Diptera: Culicidae) by semiochemicals of microbial origin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 February 2007

Leunita A. Sumba ,
Tom O. Guda ,
Arop L. Deng ,
Ahmed Hassanali ,
John C. Beier  and
Bart G.J. Knols
Leunita A. Sumba
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Mbita Point Research and Training Centre, PO Box 30, Mbita Point, Kenya Department of Zoology, Egerton University, PO Box 536, Njoro, Kenya
Tom O. Guda
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Mbita Point Research and Training Centre, PO Box 30, Mbita Point, Kenya
Arop L. Deng
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, Egerton University, PO Box 536, Njoro, Kenya
Ahmed Hassanali
Affiliation:
International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Mbita Point Research and Training Centre, PO Box 30, Mbita Point, Kenya
John C. Beier
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Highland Professional Building, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1801 NW 9th Ave., Suite 300 (D-93), Miami, FL 33136, USA
Bart G.J. Knols
Affiliation:
Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 8031, 6700 EH, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Abstract

Laboratory studies were carried out to investigate the role of larval habitat-derived microorganisms in the production of semiochemicals for oviposition site selection by Anopheles gambiae Giles sensu stricto mosquitoes. Dual-choice bioassays with gravid females were conducted in standard mosquito cages. Field-collected or laboratory-reared mosquitoes, individually or in groups, were offered a choice between unmodified (water or soil from a natural breeding site) or modified substrates (filtered water, autoclaved soil or sterile media to which bacterial suspensions had been added). Egg counts were used to assess oviposition preferences. Mosquitoes preferred to oviposit on unmodified substrates from natural larval habitats containing live microorganisms rather than on sterilized ones. Variable responses were observed when sterile substrates were inoculated with bacteria isolated from water and soil from natural habitats. We conclude that microbial populations in breeding sites produce volatiles that serve as semiochemicals for gravid An. gambiae. These signals, in conjunction with other (non-olfactory) chemical and physical cues, may be used by the female to assess the suitability of potential larval habitats in order to maximize the fitness of her offspring.

Keywords

oviposition site selectionsoil microbiotasemiochemicalsAnopheles gambiae
Type
Short Communication
Information
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science , Volume 24 , Issue 3 , September 2004 , pp. 260 - 265
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 2004

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